Improvement in hydrants



J. P. GALLAG HER.

improvement in Hydrants,

NO. 4,283, Patented May 2,1871.'

JOSEPH l?. GALLAGHER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. i

IMPROVEMENT IN HYDRANTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. ERQLQSS, dated May Q, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. GALLAGHER, of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have made certain'new and useful Improvements in Hydrants; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and clear description thereof so far as completed,

. reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to an improvement in the hydrant secured to me by Letters Patent No. 41,144, and dated the 5th day of January, 1864. t The improvements relate to an improved construction of the valvechamber, the Wastevent, the lever, and the compressionspring for closing the valve.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my improved hydrant, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

The accompanying drawing represents a sectional elevation of the improved hydrant.

AIn this as Well as my former invention I use a metal or Wooden box or housing, A, that extends downlinto the ground and up above the surface thereof far enough to inclose all the operative parts ofthe hydrant.

To the bottom iioor of this box is securely fixed a semi-globeyalve chamber, B, to which is secured by means'fof screw-threads the annular valve-seat piece B1, the latter piece having a convex top edge, on which the valve G shuts tightly, and which also extends some distance (say au inch, more or less) above the door of the said chamber B, thereby leaving an annular Water -way, B2, between the said seat-piece B1 and the surrounding chamber B.

The top end or side of the semi-globe chamber B terminates in a cylindrical projection, B3, which forms a housing and guide for the valve C fThe said valve has a suitable packing, c, which prevents the Water from rising above the chamber B2 in the tubing B3, and it is also provided With a paekin g, c1, which, whenlthewvalve is closed, shuts` down tightly on the seat Bl and effectually closes the entrance-aperture.

The supply-pipe Dis attached to the tubing b,depending.fron1 the bottom side of the seatpiece B1, and thedistributing-pipe D has its lower end attached to the side of the semiglobe B and in open communication with the annular Water-Way B2.

A small tube, d, connects the pipe D with the housing-tube B3, the said tube being l0- cated just above the top end of the valve C when it is closed down tight on its seat. This arrangement permits the Water that may be standing in the pipe D at the time of the clos` ing of the valve C to escape through the tube d and run out at the aperture d', just above it, and escape into the bottom of the box A, and so out into the `ground, thereby avoiding the freezing of the Water in the pipe D', and also wasting the water during the time the valve is open, as most hydrants and stop and waste cocks do. This wastage is avoided by the valve O closing the outlet-aperture of the pipe d as soon as it is raised to uncover the seat B1. In my former patent above alluded to the valve was made to close both the tube d and the Waste-aperture d'; but it is found to be more convenient to have it close only the pipe d; hence this improvement.

A cylindrical casing, E, is attached to the upper end of the housing B3, and surrounds and closes in the valve-rod C to a point above the surface of the ground. This easing or tube will at all times exclude mud and refuse matter from accumulating in the top part of the valve-chamber, and thereby render it easy to remove the valve when necessary for repairs.

A diaphragm, A', is placed in the upper end of the box A, and to this diaphragm is secured a screw-bushin g, a, by means of a flange above the said piece A and a screw-nut, al, below it. The outside of the said bushing has screwthreads for the accommodation of the nut al, and also interior threads for the reception of the hollow nut a2. This nut has a head-piece or handle, o3, by means of which it may readily be turned up 0r down at any time, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The bushing a and the nut a2 are placed in a line coaxial with the valve-rod C', the said rod passing up into the cavity of the nut a2.

A short distance below the diaphragm A a tappet, a2, is secured tothe valve'rod C. The bottoni end of this tappet is convex, and the lever F, acting against this convex surface, raises the said rod C without pulling or pushing it out of its proper perpendicular position. The inner end of the said lever is forked, one prong of it passing on each side of the rod C', thereby securing a square and easy lift on the rod.

The lever F is pivoted at g to the fulcrumarms G, there being one of these arms on each side of the lever and projectin g from the faceplate g', which is secured to the inner or outer side ofthe box A.

It being necessary to have the interior dimensions of the box A several inches square, in order to accommodate the valve and pipe,

'the arms G are made quite long, say three or four inches, (more or less,) so as to place the fulcrum-point g as near the valve-rod as possible, in order to secure an easy leverage.

` A spring, 03, either of spiral form, or of india-rubber or equivalent material, is attached to the upper end of the valve-rod, so as to rest on the top end of the tappet c2 and under the bottom side of the nut a2. This spring` Will habitually force the valve down upon its seat` B', except when raised by the lever F. It is to readjust this spring and keep it tight that is the oice of the nut a2.

Having described myinvention, what I claim 1sl. The hollow nut a2 and its bushing a, the spring c3, tappet c2, and rod C', When arranged and operated substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with the parts mentioned in the first clause, the lever F g and fulcrumplate G, all constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described.

3. The hemispherical valve-chamber B, constructed with an annular Water-Way, B2, tubular portion B3, and provided with the adjustable valve-seat, substantially as described.

In testimony of said invention I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH P. GALLAGHER. 

